SteelShoe

I was a bit negative on where this meeting was being held toward the back end of September . This was due mainly to the lack of peripheral lighting and no seating facilities with a lots of fans having to stand on a grass bank. Fortunately the weather gods shone down on the event which meant climate and ground conditions were nowhere near as poor as they could have been. The track was good helped in no small part by the cool conditions that quickly ensued when the sun went down. Some of the racing was top drawer as it usually is and the best pair by some margin won on the night, well done Cookie and Rasser two riders close to Comets fans hearts and just reward for Glasgow who are trying to drag this great sport into the 21st century. Like other people I do believe the back straight facilities could be better, first thing we were met with when we went to the catering van was there are no chips because the fryers are not working ! , we didn't bother eating as the queue at the clubhouse catering outlet results in a wait spanning too many races. There is no excuse really for the faulty PA system on turn 2. I do believe Somerset do not try as hard now to make sure all the bases are covered because they get this meeting without doing anything extra or special. Personally I thought the presentation was also only average with multiple errors re riders names etc. The quality of racing made this an exciting spectacle and from that point of view it was an enjoyable spectacle played out in front of a very decent crowd. However like speedway in general the ancillary stuff could have easily been better which would have been appreciated.

Perhaps you could enlighten me on which promoters it helps to keep solvent as I'm quite interested.

Usually this meeting is much earlier in the summer and I've rarely missed it. As you know many fans stand on the grass bank on the east side, usually there is daylight until the latter stages of the meeting so there is no issue. Sunset will be around 7-15 so the bank will be dark for most of the meeting this time, in addition the grass is more likely to be damp or become damp and hence more slippy so there could be more of a safety issue. This may be of no concern to the majority of fans who would normally stand over there I don't know but not ideal in my view.

Do you mean a promotion ? . Better take a head torch to fill your program in with that's if you get there down the M5.

Cannot really understand why this meeting is being held at a stadium with no seating, poor peripheral lighting at the back end of September, just because the GP is the day after should not preclude this meeting being taken somewhere else on a different date.

Loved watching Rasser in his two spells at Derwent Park. Last season it was obvious that he had made a step change from his earlier spell. Just brilliant to watch coupled with an enhanced steely determination, this not only make him box office but an integral part of any team looking to win trophies. Perhaps the Tigers fans can now fully understand why the Comets fans were so disappointed to lose him. i would swap that for still having speedway though in a heartbeat

Not really about Jack's prowess as a speedway rider but after saying this the guy is only 20, he went through what must have been a hugely confidence sapping season at Swindon last year. He has probably outscored Nathan Greaves on most occasions at home so far this term but Nathan has been much more effective away. There is time for him to make his mark yet.

Really ? i can quite easily see the following scenario: say Jack Smith was banging in big scores and for some reason being a young lad he impetuously asks to be replaced immediately after a meeting. If the management hadn't already planned to bring in Erik Riss and Kasper Andersen do you not think they would have talked to him, given him a couple of days to think it over then if he still felt the same then fair enough ?. The fact that the averages wouldn't fit the 40 point increase on the 30th June precluded that happening. In effect Jack probably saved them the job of dispensing with him.

Riss a very good signing for the Bears but feel for Ully who appeared to be finding his form. Tom Woolley rode on numerous occasions for Worky Comets in the second half of 2017 season, it's fair to say he was nowhere near Championship level at that time. Seems like the Bears never gave Jack Smith any time to change his mind so it was probably in the managements thoughts to replace him.

Reds stated they were going nowhere if the new stadium didn''t go ahead . Was it just coincidence that Town battered on with the relaying of the pitch, new changing rooms and carving up of the speedway track ? i think not. The increase in pitch dimensions was supposedly only to facilitate the Reds which now looks dead in the water, after all why would they want to pay rent to Town ?. Seems like the the reported amounts of money required for Reds to maintain the required safety certification were also widely exaggerated. The amount now being quoted is £15K quite a difference from rumoured six figure sums at the time. There has to be some accountability somewhere for the reckless damage done to the speedway track. I have already contacted the councillors on the executive re this and i implore you to do the same. The relevant e-mail addresses can be found on page 21 of this thread, let them know how you feel !!!

Well i'm with you on this one geoff 100.

I would expect to contribute through Council Tax for better community facilities . What would your reaction be if the council backed plans for a new speedway facility but stated this may result in an overall increase in council tax ?

Got to agree with this . I would imagine it will take some considerable time to come up with an alternative. Even the Town traders submitted a petition in favour of the stadium based on expected increase footfall from the Sellafield and NHS workers that would be using the facility. If your going to do something do it properly is my view re this. Can't wait for the Council Executive reasons for rejection and their intended contingency.

Confirmed in the news and star 3hours ago that the decision was taken at todays executive meeting to reject the new stadium plan. The council is instead asking its officers to come up with a smaller scale plan for a 'new stadium'. Decision reported to have been met with anger by representatives of Town and Reds. it was stated prior to the meeting that a previous plan for Borough Park mooted by a long term reds supporter which included keeping the existing terracing while demolishing and replacing everything around this was to be discussed at todays meeting. Bet that idea will set the cat among the pigeons at Derwent Park. This has some way to run yet !. All this just makes the premature destruction of the track even more exasperating.

Keep faith Bandits fans, Worky overturned first leg deficits equal to and greater than this last season, if the riders want it badly enough it's certainly possible.

A group recently occupied a site by Workington harbour side which has planning permission for houses. The rubbish they left behind was disgraceful and included multiple empty gas cylinders, garden waste /tree cuttings, multiple burst black bags containing all sorts of waste debris, building waste and a large tyre. They just seem immune to prosecution.

they've all got a honours degree in fly tipping

Costa Del Oldside playground of the rich and famous ! if only.

think we all know which way is which Geoff !

Oldside (Northside) was one of the sites evaluated for the New Stadium, badly marked down on user attractiveness and regeneration value for this purpose. The biggest issue with the training track site is security, hidden away in the trees in a secluded location leaves it open to theft and vandalism from which it has historically suffered. Would need top security fence and plenty of razor wire for sure. Would be better if it was more out in the open in close proximity to a frequently used road.

Not solely the reason for dwindling attendances but a valid point none the less. New facilities can be a catalyst for better attendance, the new leisure centre backs this up but it must be used in an intelligent manner to maximise potential and to be fair i think the business case goes a long way towards this.

Its not level either singy and needs further work. It has flooded twice now in the areas it always has, has it been rushed ?. Storm Miguel is due saturday see how much water it holds after this. It hasn't been seeded yet for obvious reasons so its got to be running behind schedule.

These are all good valid points Derwent and i'm all for bringing this part of the world into the 21st century. Thirty million pounds is a lot of cash but perhaps Real Madrid put it into perspective by looking to fork out eighty eight million for Eden Hazard rising to potentially twice that with add ons ??? now that is silly money.

This has been discussed in this thread Loose Diamond and THJ has outlined what is required the main facilitators being a promoter and a council willing to help. If we have the first then i'm really hopeful we would have the second.

well if there is any justice one of the Comets fans will have a big lottery win !